Waxed jackets: the thread

[zacharge]

Unsure if there is an existing or updated thread about waxed jackets, so excuse me if I started a new one erroneously. Just wanted to see others’ waxed jackets!

Here is my Filson shirt lined cruiser that I got back in 2016. Made at Filson. Probably my first “upgraded” article of clothing (sans countless Fred Perry jackets from back in oi/punk days).

Went through years of wildlife field work, outdoors stuff, fishing, camping etc.

Haven’t worn it for about a year (since I became obsessed with leather and denim), so it got a quick re waxing.

 

[VansonRider]

I like this thread idea!

In high school I had a huge oversized (it was the 90s!) drizabone with a really nice snap in wool Sherpa liner.
While living in Maine I sold it too my roommate, who was a bit overweight and it actually fit him really well. He had major coat envy and was a good dude so I sold it to him for a really low buddy price.

I had a packable “swagman” next, a hip length hooded jacket that packed into it’s own pocket. That was a really cool one but the sleeves were a little short and I always chose something different to wear. Gave that one away to a friend of my wife’s. She was 5’8 or 9 or so, just a little shorter than I am, but the sleeves worked for her.

Then I bought a Vanson Dover, then a Vanson/Benrus stormer collaboration, and two Barbour Internationals.

They are all nice and long in the sleeves.

I wear the Barbour Int all the time, it's fantastic. The Vanson's waxxed jackets are awesome, but they can be overbuilt for daily wear. The Barbour is a better "grab on your way out the door" jacket, while the Vanson's make a statement.

 

[barnabus]

I wear the Barbour Int all the time, it's fantastic

100% agree. My Barbour International has turned out to be my only forever jacket. It works in every situation, and the versatility means it's the most grabbable of grab-on-the-way-out-the-door jackets.

Also, they're drop dead cool.

I love it.

 

[Nykwil]

IYKYK

over 20 yrs old.

 

[RDS]

As someone who has worn Barbour wax jackets for more than 40 years (including Border, Northumbria, Bushman and several Solway Zippers) I’ll always have at least one hanging on the coat rack or, more likely, in the garage, however I find the window of actually needing to wear one is really quite narrow.
If it’s raining then invariably a wax jacket will also need to be accompanied by waterproof trousers or leggings because the water just sheets off soaking thighs and legs. If it’s cold extra layers will be needed as a wax proof has absolutely no thermal properties at all and even the additional studded ‘warm’ pile liner is pretty much ineffective. And, when it’s either cold, wet or both, the outer shell takes on all the flexibility of stiff cardboard.
Finally, as a wax jacket isn’t at all breathable anything remotely approaching vigorous exercise causes the inner liner to become damp through perspiration; with the result you can end up wet, both inside and out.
Having said all that, in the right situation and conditions a Barbour wax jacket can be pretty much indispensable.
When beating through undergrowth a Barbour thornproof really lives up to its name and shrugs off anything which might snag or tear other clothing. And unlike jackets or coats with breathable liners, such as Goretex, any wear or tear on a wax jacket can be simply repaired by stitching, adding a patch or just slapping on another dose of wax.
My current Solway Zipper, which is over 20 years old, shows plenty of signs of use. It’s been regularly re-waxed and has a number of patches and some fairly rudimentary other stitchwork, both to the waxed outer and inner cotton liner, but it still does the job.

 

[Nykwil]

Didn’t realize this was an old thread bumped.

 

[zacharge]

IYKYK

over 20 yrs old.

Damn the Levi’s x filson?

 

[RedBird]

Great thread. I picked up my first Barbour last fall and would agree with the above statement that they have a small window (weather wise) in which they shine. I ended up getting the Orvis variant of the Ashby, which has an orange accent color as well as a slightly more fitted midsection.

Also was curious to know if anyone here favors Fjallraven outerwear. Most of their vintage line is waxed either over down, poly or simple shells.

 

[AeroFan_07]

My Freenote cloth (lined waxed cotton jacket) is not overly waxed - and I have not re-waxed it as of yet (only 2 years old). I also agree it's like this post says -

As someone who has worn Barbour wax jackets for more than 40 years (including Border, Northumbria, Bushman and several Solway Zippers) I’ll always have at least one hanging on the coat rack or, more likely, in the garage, however I find the window of actually needing to wear one is really quite narrow.
If it’s raining then invariably a wax jacket will also need to be accompanied by waterproof trousers or leggings because the water just sheets off soaking thighs and legs. If it’s cold extra layers will be needed as a wax proof has absolutely no thermal properties at all and even the additional studded ‘warm’ pile liner is pretty much ineffective. And, when it’s either cold, wet or both, the outer shell takes on all the flexibility of stiff cardboard.
Finally, as a wax jacket isn’t at all breathable anything remotely approaching vigorous exercise causes the inner liner to become damp through perspiration; with the result you can end up wet, both inside and out.
Having said all that, in the right situation and conditions a Barbour wax jacket can be pretty much indispensable.
When beating through undergrowth a Barbour thornproof really lives up to its name and shrugs off anything which might snag or tear other clothing. And unlike jackets or coats with breathable liners, such as Goretex, any wear or tear on a wax jacket can be simply repaired by stitching, adding a patch or just slapping on another dose of wax.
My current Solway Zipper, which is over 20 years old, shows plenty of signs of use. It’s been regularly re-waxed and has a number of patches and some fairly rudimentary other stitchwork, both to the waxed outer and inner cotton liner, but it still does the job.

What I found even more interesting were waxed cotton double knee trousers. I found them initially rather comfortable (and quite fitted) but that was during cool weather. I wound up with a pair but should have stepped the size up one notch, I would likely still have it. It is the anthesis of a pair of double-knee Carhartt Dungarees. Not baggy at all, moves with you well, but utterly & totally useless above 70F. No breathability at all. Keeps rain and wet off, but as indicated you do sweat. Great for actually hiking through brush, no worries with thistles, burs, etc. Also as indicated, they are Cold when it's chilly out, even colder when it is cool and damp out, and hot/stuffy/sweaty if it's warm and humid.

So who needs waxed cotton these days? Likely nobody. However I still have the Freenote jacket and want a pair of Red Clouds waxed double knee pants again - just to "try" in a better size. Maybe I do need help.

 

[Nykwil]

Damn the Levi’s x filson?

Indeed yes.

 

[RDS]

So who needs waxed cotton these days? Likely nobody.

As you say the reality is that nowadays very few people need a waxed cotton jacket. Although they were originally designed to be incredibly practical garments, which they can certainly still be, in most cases in the modern world they are largely impractical.
For quite some time waxed cotton jackets, mainly Barbours, really have just been worn as a fashion item, however as said previously in the right conditions or situation they do still have their place (and I will be keeping my battered Solway Zipper for a few more years yet)

 

[zacharge]

I actually wear waxed jackets a lot during field work and outings (herpetologist/ biologist work catching snakes and stuff) and it actually helps a lot during not rainy, but annoying weather with thorny scrub and bushes haha

Re: who needs waxed jackets nowadays

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ Cool job! Neat stuff indeed.

Also I've no intention of getting rid of my Freenote cloth jacket, and I do use it.

Given your occupation, you might find these Red Clouds pants to be helpful...several types of waxed cotton, but they are not cheap (made in Portland) - https://redcloudscollective.com/collections/pants-2023

 

[zacharge]

^^ Cool job! Neat stuff indeed.

Also I've no intention of getting rid of my Freenote cloth jacket, and I do use it.

Given your occupation, you might find these Red Clouds pants to be helpful...several types of waxed cotton, but they are not cheap (made in Portland) - https://redcloudscollective.com/collections/pants-2023

YOOOOO these are perfect haha!! I actually was just thinking about getting some filson tin cloth pants (I get a discount’s due to occupation) but these way better constructed as I had some failures and blow outs with filson pants before)

 

[zacharge]

On second thought…as much as I think these would be perfect, I do wonder what I’d do when it’s poison oak season and I can’t wash waxed pants haha

 

[Peter Mackin]

I wear my 20yr old barbour bushman almost daily walking the dogs.i bought 2 of them when saw they were being taken over and they became a fashion item.ive been motorcycling for over 50 years, grew up wearing harbour and belstaff international. I've posted before, a jacket that beats them in every department is claymore, unfortunately no longer in business. Made you a bespoke jacket, with armour if required. Wish I had ordered the shorter manx jacket before they stopped trading,

 

[AeroFan_07]

On second thought…as much as I think these would be perfect, I do wonder what I’d do when it’s poison oak season and I can’t wash waxed pants haha

I think you can wash them off (like with the hose) outside. I am super allergic to posin ivy so I get this.....

 

[Worf]

Got one Filson "Chore Coat" in tin cloth and some sort of Filson Jungle Jumper in the next level down. Need to get the latter fixed but wear the former almost every time it rains, if it's not freezing outside. I've also a couple of Mackinaws and one Double Mackinaw. Long as you avoid the "Fashion Stuff" it'll serve you faithfully and well for decades.

Worf